Helping Nepalese Women Run a Business

  Nepal

• Pokhara: 
Pokhara

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Please inquire for more information.

Description: The CWSDP is a local NGO that was established in 2008 by a dynamic Brahmin woman to provide the vocational skills necessary to enable poor women, in a male-dominated society, to become self-reliant. Around 15 women work in a small factory with very basic facilities making bags and other woven handicrafts for the tourist market, including bags, purses, pencil cases, and oven gloves. The women learn how to cut material, sew, weave, dye, and various other related activities.

Although the women are already adept at many of these skills, a volunteer is requested to develop their skills in design and dyeing.

Highlights: This is a great chance for a female volunteer to help Nepalese women empower themselves by earning their own income. And Pokhara, with its beautiful lake and mountain views, and its status as an adventure holiday centre, is a great place to spend a few months.

Qualifications: This small business makes woven product, such as bags for the tourist market. The founder is looking for volunteers to advise on dyeing techniques and/or design. Experience is necessary.

Minimum Education: Diploma/Certification

Cost in US$: From USD 550 for two months

Salary / Pay: The benefits of the programme are non-financial

Experience Required: yes

The volunteer needs to be experienced in dyeing and/or design. Marketing experience would also be useful.

Typical Volunteer: In addition to having a useful skill, the qualities you will need to make a useful contribution to your school are: resilience and adaptability, an open mind and an interest in other cultures, good mental and physical health, and tact and diplomacy. Because these opportunities are best suited to mature people, our volunteers are likely to be (but not exclusively) from one of the following categories: * working people taking a career break. * retired people who are not yet ready to put their feet up! * graduates wanting to have an adventure before starting their careers. * students aged at least 19.

Age Range: 19 and above

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Nepal Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme's Mission Statement: The Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme (HELP) is a charity registered by the Charity Commission of England and Wales. The aim of HELP is to enhance the lives of poor Himalayan communities by supporting selected educational and training projects. HELP realizes its aims by enabling responsible and committed people from the developed world to: - sponsor young people with the potential to benefit from a school or college education, but without the means to do so. - make a donation to provide grants to individual students, and also to schools and health clinics that lack the means to acquire the materials or premises required to provide a satisfactory service to their communities. - undertake short-term assignments as volunteers in support of educational and training projects

Year Founded: 2002